History French language in Cambodia

the french language began presence in cambodia in late 19th century after french explorers , merchants made way vietnam cambodia. in 1863, cambodia became protectorate of france , incorporated french indochina in 1887. french did not exert influence on cambodia did in vietnam , khmer still remained taught , spoken in cambodia french limited politicians. not until 1890s french began introduced in cambodian education, limited elite classes , until 1910s masses began learning french nationwide. growth of revolutionary movements in vietnam, french did not promote education in cambodia , literacy rates remained low. french language s growth in cambodia increased until japanese invasion of cambodia in world war ii. under japanese, khmer made government language alongside french , 2 taught alongside in schools. after war, french again became sole official language. when cambodia became independent in 1953, french language continued taught , used in government.

despite strong presence in government , education, french declined earlier , heavier in cambodia in vietnam , laos. lower rates of influence , education in cambodia meant 1960s, french began decline in cambodia in contrast being government language in south vietnam , laos. in mid-1970s, khmer rouge came power in cambodia , began killing thousands of educated cambodians, of whom french-educated. end of reign in 1979, french had been wiped out in cambodia. vietnamese invasion of cambodia established people s republic of kampuchea reintroduced french nation, though ironically, french began decline in vietnam around time. french continued gain ground in cambodia until 1993, when present government of cambodia took power , khmer became sole language of government , primary language of education. beginning in late 1990s, english language became more taught in cambodia , french continued decline english seen more useful international language. revival of french language has gained ground later in cambodia in vietnam , laos. in 1997, french-language center opened in phnom penh , french-language education began revive in cambodia , dozens of cambodian students study abroad each year in france. french once again, diplomatic language of cambodia. communities of returned refugees france , quebec students have studied in francophone nations have added french-speaking population of cambodia.